England head coach Andy Robinson has made seven changes for the first Test against South Africa at Twickenham on Saturday.

Following the 25-18 weekend defeat to Argentina, wing Ben Cohen, lock Danny Grewcock and flanker Lewis Moody - who boast more than 160 caps between them - are among those absent from Robinson's starting line-up.

Cohen is replaced by his fellow World Cup winner Josh Lewsey, with Wasps forward Tom Palmer taking over from Grewcock and Palmer's club colleague Joe Worsley recalled in the back-row instead of Moody, who is relegated to bench duty.

Martin Corry retains the captaincy, but switches to number eight in a rejigged back row which sees Pat Sanderson at openside flanker and Worsley wearing the number six jersey.

Three posiitonal switches see Corry at eight instead of Sanderson, Worcester skipper Sanderson handed the number seven jersey above Moody and Jamie Noon moved to inside centre with Allen left out.

Wasps prop Phil Vickery, meanwhile, is among the replacements for potentially his first Test appearance since England lost to New Zealand at Twickenham a year ago.

Vickery has overcome major back problems to re-establish himself with his new club Wasps, and will add considerable experience as England strive to avoid a record eighth successive defeat.

England's loss to the Pumas was their seventh in a row stretching back to February, while a 74,000 Twickenham crowd booed the world champions off after Argentina triumphed 25-18.

Cueto, one of the most prolific try scorers at England's disposal, returns after missing the opening two autumn Tests due to an ankle injury sustained during Sale's Heineken Cup defeat against the Ospreys last month. Sackey, deputising, scored a superb solo try against Argentina but has suffered a knee injury.

Tait possibly would have started against New Zealand, had he not been laid low by a thigh injury just after recovering from early-season knee surgery, with Allen now returning to his club after a tough Test baptism.

Hodgson is retained despite an error-strewn display against Argentina which saw him substituted early in the second half, although England at least have fly-half and goalkicking cover on the bench with Andy Goode and Toby Flood.

Richards' promotion above Perry is no surprise, while Sheridan has recovered from a back problem which forced him out of contention against Argentina, and Grewcock's alarming loss of form made it inevitable he would make way for a second-row alternative.

England have never lost eight Tests consecutively in 135 years of international rugby, but that is the possible prospect awaiting Robinson's team on Saturday.

Whatever happens, he will have to make further wholesale changes for the second Springboks Test as an agreement between England and Premier Rugby means no player can start more than three of the four autumn Tests.

Robinson survived calls for his resignation after the Pumas debacle but has Saturday's match and the second Test against the Springboks, seven days later, to bring about an improvement sufficient to keep him in the job.

England's slump in form has resulted in a significant drop in revenue for the Rugby Football Union, who today reported a £1.7 million pre-tax loss for 2005-06.

Poor performances on the pitch have seen a £4m drop in the RFU's turnover, which has fallen from £87m to £83m, while operating profit was down 30.5 per cent from £23m in 2005 to £16.2m. Last year, the RFU celebrated a profit of £6.4m.

England's slump since has cost £3.6m in total, accounted for by a decline in ticket sales, reduced merchandise sales, a lower share of Six Nations revenues and the costs of restructuring the elite rugby department.

RFU chief executive Francis Baron said: "The year's results show the importance of England's success to our finances. A run of poor England results affect all parts of the game. We have taken tough but appropriate action to get back on track and the costs associated with this action are included in the year's figures.

"We believe that England will turn the corner, get back to winning ways and produce a strong defence of our World Cup title."

Elite rugby benefited from a £1.7m raise in investment to £13m while community rugby received an extra £2.9m, taking its total for the year to £14.1m.

In addition, the RFU distributed a record £19.6m to their clubs and constituent bodies in the year, while the Union's net worth has increased to a record £122m - up from £104m on last year.

Leicester will face Argentina in February as part of the Pumas' preparations for the Rugby World Cup next year.

Argentina recorded their first ever victory over England at Twickenham on Saturday, and they will visit Welford Road on Sunday, Feb 11.

Tigers managing director David Clayton said: "We are delighted that the Argentina Rugby Union have agreed to bring a team."